Napier, Brimah earn All-AAC honors

UConn senior Shabazz Napier was one of three unanimous selections on the American Athletic Conference first team while center Amida Brimah earned a spot on the all-rookie team.

Napier joined Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick and Louisville's Russ Smith as runaway choices. All three are considered strong contenders for the conference's player of the year award, which will be announced on Wednesday inMemphis.

Louisville's Montrezl Harrell and SMU's Nic Moore also made the first team.

Napier ranks second in the conference in scoring (17.8 points), assists (5.2), free throw shooting (87.7 percent) and third in steals at 1.8 per game.

The following players were named to the AAC second team: UCF's Isaiah Sykes,Cincinnati's Justin Jackson, Houston's TaShawn Thomas, SMU's Markus Kennedy and the Memphis duo of Shaq Goodwin and Joe Jackson.

Forward Austin Nichols of Memphis was the only unanimous selection to the all-rookie team, making him the heavy favorite to win the league's top rookie honor.Louisville's Terry Rozier and the UCF duo of John Egbunu and Chris Perry also made the team.

The AAC tournament begins Wednesday in Memphis. Awards winners for top rookie, player, defender, coach, scholar-athlete, sixth man, most improved player will be announced tomorrow.

Napier also was named the United States Basketball Writers Association District I player of the year for the second time. Junior Ryan Boatright also made the All-District I team.